About Us
Vision 20:20 is the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Science’s commitment to Māori and Pacific health workforce development. Three key Vision 20:20 programmes work together to provide comprehensive support for Māori and Pacific student achievement in participating secondary schools and kura, within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and across the University of Auckland.
Whakapiki Ake Project
A Māori recruitment programme that works within a kaupapa Māori framework to support rangatahi Māori enrolled in secondary schools and kura. Whakapiki Ake promotes health as a career and entry into Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences health professional programmes. Whakapiki Ake supports the academic, cultural and social journey of students from Year 9 to graduation, encouraging whānau to participate.
Hikitia Te Ora – Certificate in Health Sciences (CertHSc)
This one-year foundation programme bridges the gap between secondary school and university. It prepares Māori and Pacific students for tertiary study in the health professions. style=”color: red” Course content focuses on academic and science literacy (including chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and population health) needed for success in first-year courses that provide a pathway to health professional programmes. See more about the Certificate in Health Sciences here.
MAPAS – Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme
Provides academic, cultural and pastoral support for Māori and Pacific students while they journey within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, to help them successfully complete their studies and graduate. MAPAS Advisors provide a key link between MAPAS students, university student support services, senior MAPAS academic staff, a culturally safe study environment and academic tutorial support services. See more about MAPAS here.
Our Team
Kanewa Stokes
(Ngāti Porou, Te Whaanau a Apanui)
has been the Development Manager for Whakapiki Ake since 2011. She has a deep understanding of the programme and is responsible for its day-to-day management. She is constantly looking at ways to champion programme innovations and has an extensive network of relationships. Kanewa has a Master of Arts (Social Policy).
Elizabeth (Liz) Peretira
(Waikato/Ngāti Mahuta)
is a Whakapiki Ake Kaimahi / Recruitment Officer. Liz joined the Whakapiki Ake team in 2018 after working in a Health role for 10years. Motivated by the opportunity to support Māori into health careers after experiencing the need for more of us in health roles first hand, she is passionate about uplifting rangatahi, tauira and whānau in this space. Being a māmā of four daughters, whānau and health is important to Liz. She has a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation management.
Te Whatumanawa Ngatai Tangirua
(Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui/Waikato)
is a Whakapiki Ake Kaimahi / Recruitment Officer. Te Whatumanawa has been a Recruitment Officer for Whakapiki Ake since 2020. Passionate about Māori health and wellbeing, he is always inspired when working with rangatahi Māori. He also dances professionally for the Royal Family Dance Company. Te Whatumanawa has a Bachelors of Health Sciences majoring in Māori Health.
Haley Crooks
(Waikato, Aitutaki/Vaipae)
is a Whakapiki Ake Communications Advisor. As the newest addition to the team, joining in October 2021, she has worked both in the media and NGO sectors throughout her career. Haley feels a strong calling and connection to help others and serve communities that are close to her heart. Passionate about people and positive change, she aims to engage and encourage rangatahi and whānau through her role, driven to contribute towards more Māori entering a career in health.
Cultural Advisors
Whaea Dolly Paul
(Tainui)
offer a valued presence, wise advice and cultural guidance to staff, students and others involved in Whakapiki Ake.
Whaea Julie Wade
(Tainui)
is the Community and Cultural Liaison for Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, assists TKHM kaumatua and supports Whakapiki Ake in a myriad of ways including Whakapiki Ake campus-based events.
Indigenous Leadership
Professor Papaarangi Reid
(Te Rarawa)
works in the fields of Indigenous/Māori health, public health and ethnic disparities research. She has degrees in science and medicine as well as a diploma in obstetrics from the University of Auckland. She also has a diploma in community health from the University of Otago. Her visionary leadership and major academic contribution have been instrumental in developing the nation’s Māori health and research workforce. Professor Reid has held international positions and currently serves as Tumuaki and Head of Te Kupenga Hauora Māori for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
Associate Professor Elana Curtis
(Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa)
works in the fields of Māori health, Kaupapa Māori and ethnic inequities research. She is a public health physician and the Director of Vision 20:20. She is the recipient of numerous awards for academic and teaching excellence, and has been a primary or co-investigator on many research projects. Her doctoral research focused on Indigenous health workforce development and was used to redesign the Whakapiki Ake programme. Associate Professor Curtis is the key point of contact with external funding agencies.
Our Partners
Whakapiki Ake works with wide-ranging partners to open up opportunities for rangatahi and their whānau. Whakapiki Ake relies on relationships across the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the University. Whakapiki Ake maintains a strong partnership with the Ministry of Health, receiving funding through its Workforce Development stream. Whakapiki Ake also partners with iwi, schools, kura kaupapa Māori, district health boards, other recruitment programmes, other groups and organisations.